Throughout the 2008 / 09 season the horses have been running consistantly well, amassing 63 winners with a win strike rate of 21% - this was by far our best season, in fact 20 winners in front of the yards previous best.
Unfortunately a Festival winner eluded us but with a superb second in The Hennessy Gold Cup and a close second at the Cheltenham festival it will not be that long in coming, with luck!
This season has continued as the previous one ended with the horses running superbly well.
It is much quieter at Whitcoombe House Stables at the moment, we just have 15 horses to run during the summer months so the Lads & Lass's are taking their well earned holidays over the next month or two and the yard is having its make over - steam cleaning, painting & repairs are all taking place.
The majority of the horses will start to filter back into training in July & there are a lot of new faces to look forward to and hopefully plenty more winners to come.
Cast Cada brought us on to winner 49 of the season with a pleasing display in the 3m Novice Hurdle at Taunton,Battling on well to beat the odds on favourite he is a real chasing type for the future.Winning a hurdle race is a real bonus as he is already the winner of an Irish Point To Point.
Gauvain won a thrilling Grade 2 Kingmaker Novice Chase at Sandown this afternoon giving us winner number 48 of the season.A race that has been very informative over the years with many winners going on to perform well in the Arkle a race were Gauvain could be next seen.
Gauvain schooling this week with Peter Toole on board
After a few promising efforts Bench Warrent lost his maiden tag with a hard fought success in the 2m 6f Novice Hurdle.A proper chasing type for next season it is always nice to win a hurdle race along the way.Bench Warrent was purchased by Charlie at Doncaster May Sales after winning an Irish Point To Point a route that has proved very successful over the years.
Thankfully the horses are back to normal routines with the weather causing major headaches over the past two weeks.We were able to exercise horses daily with a lot of work by all the staff to keep the wheels in motion.
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The string have continued in tremendous form throughout the season,With 46 winners on the board Charlie is enjoying his best season since taking out a trainers license.50 was quietly the target all year.
Cheltenham plans for the horses are still being decided but we hope to have around a dozen runners over the four days. Preparations have gone well with Air Force One but due to weather conditions his next outing will be The Gold Cup. Another possible Wendel was an impressive winner at Ascot yesterday afternoon. Fair Point a recent winner at Taunton could be Four Mile Chase bound. Art Exhibition has been very consistent since winning at Fontwell first time out will have an entry for The Fred Winter. Shining Gale has been working well recently will be declared for Southwell on Tuesday before plans are finalised. Nadover ran a great race yesterday at Haydock to finish fourth in The Blue Square Gold Cup Chase will run in the Cross Country race.
The horses have continued to run well over the past few weeks.Art Exhibition a Doncaster May Sale purchse by Charlie got us back to winning ways at Fontwell this afternoon.Art won the Juvenile Novice Hurdle on his first start for the yard,A good type who was a winner on the flat should have a promising future on todays effort.
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Art Ehibition schooling (Art on Right) |
Air Force put up a sparkling performance at Newbury this afternoon in The Hennessy Gold Cup.On ground that wouldn't of played to his strengths he was always up with the pace and tried to stretch the field turning for home.Noel gave him a cracking ride to only be beaten 3lengths giving the winner 3lb.I'm sure there is a lot more to come as he is still a young improving horse.His next race will be discussed with owner Brian Walsh as he has entries over the festive period in Ireland and also The King George.
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Air Force with regular work rider Eilidh Grant |
Air Force upsides over the last |
Gauvain put his experience to good use in the two mile Beginners Chase at Lingfield winning by thirteen lengths.With plenty of pace on up front Noel was able to take a lead before going to the front running down the hill for the final time.After a good placed effort last time at Sandown we felt it wouldn't be long before he was in the winners enclosure.
Wendel kept his unbeaten record intact over hurdles with an impressive display of jumping at Plumpton this afternoon.Given a positive ride by Noel he won with his head in his chest.On his home work we felt he had improved so a step up in grade will be next on the agenda.
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Wendel on the gallops |
